What is the connection between the Templars and the Royal Arch degree in Freemasonry?
The connection between the Templars and the Royal Arch degree in Freemasonry is primarily symbolic and ritualistic rather than historical. The Royal Arch degree serves as a continuation of the Master Mason degree, embodying themes of chivalry, faith, and brotherhood that resonate with the ideals of the Knights Templar.
While there is no direct historical lineage, certain Masonic degrees and orders are patterned after the medieval Knights Templar, reflecting a strong emphasis on these themes. The Royal Arch degree is considered a logical extension of the Master Mason degree, and it is within the York Rite structure that the Royal Arch Masonry is positioned as a precursor to the Knights Templar degree.
Moreover, the Royal Arch degree teaches the allegorical tale of the Knights Templar's quest for lost artifacts, which symbolizes the search for divine knowledge and unity among different faiths. This connection highlights the respect Freemasonry holds for the chivalric and religious themes associated with the Templars, even if the historical ties are not direct.